Invocation: Sarah Carlson

Announcements

• Celi Haga was away at a District 112 meeting, so Matt Podhradsky stood in as the emcee for today’s meeting.

• Our 2026-2027 Rotary Youth Exchange Student: Emma Keuz (pronounced “koiz”) arrived August 26. She and her first host parents Travis and Kara Hegg and our student coordinator Gretchen Oppriecht are shown in the photos below. Emma was introduced at today’s meeting.  She explained where she comes from in Germany (Düren) and even took out the blue pig for our Happy Dollars moment. The Hegg family previously hosted our 2022-23 student Natasha Palmelund. They live in Chanhassen, so Emma will take a bus to Chan High School, then catch a shuttle to Chaska. She will attend 11^th grade.

• Matt Podhradsky invited sponsors and golfers to support the Chaska Cares Golf Tournament on September 11. Proceeds benefit the Miracle Field.

• Cindy Anderson was also in an inviting mood when she announced a Club Social at the Solseng Farm on Sept. 26.

• At the Chaska Farmer’s Market today, a former Rotary intern (2019-20) was found at a vendor station. Grace Northamer was staffing Bubba’s Bakery, offering tastes and bags of sweet baked items. Following high school, Grace attended St. Thomas. She’ll be back next Thursday for an opportunity for us to say Hello to our club’s first intern. Location: Walnut ST. and Hwy 61, 4:00 – 7:00 PM. Buying chocolate chip cookies might also be a good Rotarian action!

HAPPY DOLLARS

Wayne Ward, Gretchen Oppriecht, Matt Podhradsky and Greg Anderson were happy today for reasons that gave us all an opportunity to smile.

Another happy dollar or two will be coming from Hunter Panning. His daughter Lucy was born on Monday the 24^th. Lucy, her mother Jess and proud dad Hunter are all doing well.

PRESENTATION: Minnesota State Senator Ann Rest

Ken Hiller gave an inspiring biographical introduction to his sister, MN State Senator Ann Rest (LINK), who will be retiring in January after serving in the MN House and Senate for 42 years. Special guest MN Senator Julia Coleman (LINK) attended Ann’s talk. Former Rotarian and former MN Representative Joe Hoppe had a special role in Ann’s presentation.

Ken’s preface included a humorous video clip of several of Ann’s moments at the Senate. Her authority and demeanor were treated with all the respect a brother usually offers his sister! Ken also thanked Ann for her visits with our club’s Youth Exchange students.

With Joe Hoppe as the moderator, Sen. Rest was asked to provide answers to Joe’s questions about her 42 years in Minnesota’s legislature. As the interview progressed, we could see the career-enhancing inherent humor in both participants. Joe pointed out Ann’s solid support for hosting the Ryder Cup in Chaska (next in 2029). She wanted her legacy to include her bipartisan work on the state’s Tax Committee. That experience provided her with a better understanding of the processes and concerns of rural Minnesota.

Her parting advice to new legislators – “Leave the campaigns outside of the floor of the House and the Senate.” 

Pictured below: Ann Rest (seated), Julia Coleman, Joe Hoppe, Ken Hiller.

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COFFEE DUTY